# Narcissus — Poetry character guide

> Narcissus in Poetry by Oscar Wilde.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0039-the-garden-of-eros

## Who they are

A mythological youth who falls in love with his own reflection.

## Relationships

### [Oreads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/characters/oreads)

_psychological_

Narcissus is adored by the Oreads, but he remains self-absorbed and indifferent, making their relationship one of unrequited fascination.

### [The Young Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/characters/the_young_man)

_psychological_

Narcissus mirrors the Young Man's own vanity and self-obsession, acting as a symbolic double or warning.

### [Dionysos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/characters/dionysos)

_psychological_

Dionysos is drawn to Narcissus as a symbol of ecstatic self-destruction, representing a dark, obsessive fascination.

### [Oreads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/characters/oreads)

_psychological_

Narcissus is adored by the Oreads, but he remains self-absorbed and indifferent, making their relationship one of unrequited fascination.

## In the story

### [The Burden of Itys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/the-burden-of-itys)

Lies on the clear river's marge at Tempe, wooing his own drifting image.

### [Wind Flowers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/wind-flowers)

Mentioned in 'Athanasia' as the sad narcissus, wan and white at its own beauty.

### [Athanasia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/athanasia)

Mentioned as the sad narcissus, wan and white at its own beauty, hung across the stream.

### [Charmides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/charmides)

Mentioned by woodmen as a possible identity for the beautiful youth.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned by woodmen as another possible identity for the lad, referencing his crimson lips.

### [Poems in Prose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/poems-in-prose)

Referenced in 'The Disciple'; his death causes the pool to change from sweet waters to salt tears, and the pool reveals its love for him.

### [The Disciple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/the-disciple)

His death is the catalyst for the pool's transformation and the Oreads' lament.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/characters/narcissus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_18_se/characters